New data shows that the U.K. government’s program for victims of violent crime and modern slavery is failing to help those it was designed to support. As reported by The Independent, modern slavery survivors who applied to the Home Office for help are unlikely to receive compensation for years, if at all. This failure leaves them without support and extremely vulnerable to re-exploitation.
“Horrendous and clear failing”
In 2023, the Home Office assessed over 8,000 people as victims of modern slavery. Data collected by the charity After Exploitation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) shows that between January 2023 and June 2024, authorities awarded financial compensation to fewer than five non-U.K. nationals. After reviewing the figures showing how few people can access support, the U.K. anti-slavery commissioner Elanor Lyons called the situation a “horrendous and clear failing” of the system.
“They deserve and are entitled to compensation and more must be done to ensure they can access it. This is critical to their recovery, and preventing re-exploitation that we know can occur when victims have insufficient means to rebuild their lives.”
The guidelines define a violent crime as a physical attack, a sexual assault, arson, or a threat against a person. Despite the definition, nine of these cases were denied compensation because the abuse did not amount to a “crime of violence”. On top of that, seven survivors who applied in 2021 have yet to receive a decision on top of thirteen from 2022 who are also still waiting.
Lack of legal aid stopping victims from even applying
One major issue is that the Compensation Authority requires a high level of evidence from each applicant. This can be extremely difficult to navigate, especially for survivors of modern slavery who may have had to escape quickly with the little they could take with them. One solicitor who helps survivors of modern slavery apply to the program said preparing these types of applications takes a lot of time, even for a professional like her. The survivor needs to provide a detailed witness statement, which can be painful to prepare. In addition, a psychologist needs to assess some survivors so they can prepare a medico-legal report demonstrating the injury as defined by the program.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said that it is vital that the compensation process provides the promised support for victims.
Commissioner Newlove added:
“I hope this report will prompt the government to look carefully at the barriers victims of modern slavery face when trying to claim compensation and how they might be overcome.”
After Exploitation, the whistleblowing charity for the disturbing data, said this lack of legal aid is preventing victims from being able to apply for compensation.
Freedom United stands with After Exploitation and U.K. Commissioners who are calling on Home Office caseworkers to alert victims that they can apply for financial help for legal aid. Caseworkers should do more to ensure modern slavery survivors gain access to the support they need to heal.
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When, in the past, slavery was abolished by Britain, millions was paid in compensation to guess who? …………..the slave owners not the slaves.